Robin walked up the stairs, ignoring C Hoi’s cries. He entered the bedroom, which was a mess. Looking around for some time, he went to the adjacent room. There was some furniture and two cupboards with books and other paraphernalia. The books that were in Chinese lay scattered on the floor. Behind a cupboard was a passage through which one could drop down.

Robin looked in disbelief. Why had C Hoi built this secret passage? Did he really have a secret life? Did C Hoi, who had become rich within only a few years, have any secret liaison with China?

It was difficult to believe. Why would a Chinese spy spend his entire life’s earnings to build a beautiful house in another country? Robin wondered if any other Chinese homes had a secret passage. One by one, the faces of his Chinese friends flashed before him. He stood absentmindedly for some time near the passage and went down through it. He fell into a tiny chamber which could not be seen from outside. On the southern wall of the room was a hole, big enough for a grown person to pass through. On the other side of the wall, just at the beginning of the passage, there was a water tank, which obstructed the passage from view. Robin came out and found himself in C Hoi’s backyard. Next to the courtyard, was the neighbour’s kitchen garden. Bypassing the garden, Robin went to the Kali temple in Murli Gola lane.

Thakur Prasad and Rajendra, with their faces covered, laden with loot from empty houses, were sneaking out. Seeing Robin they dropped their bundles and ran. The looted items lay scattered on the road. Robin stood in shock for some time, then went to a nearby house. There he found Raghuwa Mahato and a few armed guards.

‘This house is in my custody,’ Mahato said sadly. ‘The poor people could not even eat before being taken away. They have left the place as it was. People have already started lifting their things. They don’t listen to anyone.’

Before Robin could reply, he saw five constables coming with bundles of looted goods. They intended to hide the stuff in a small hut behind the house. They would pick up the loot at a convenient time. One of them was carrying Yiu Yi’s doll.

‘Where did you get this doll?’ Robin asked.

‘Why? Do you want it?’

‘Yes. Give it to me.’

‘Why, brother? Will you give it to your sister?’ the constable asked sarcastically, stuffing the doll into his bundle.

‘I said, give it to me,’ Robin said. Snatching the doll, he slapped the constable.

The constable was shocked and stared at Robin. Patting the man on the back, another constable said, ‘Let it go, friend. It’s enemy property. Let him keep it.’